COVID Relief Winter Fund - Full Out Studios

Thank you to everyone who helped us with our first COVID fundraiser that started in April. Together we were able to surpass our goal and raise about $45,000 to keep our doors open for the past 6 months. But the fight is not over. COVID is still here. And we're heading into our biggest hurdle yet, Winter. 

For those who are unfamiliar with Full Out Studios, we are a small business based in Oakland, CA that offers dance classes and other social events that serve our dance community. This year will be our fourth year in operation as a business and it has taken some time to grow our community. We have fostered a wonderful dance family who has helped us put the studio on the map as one of the primary places to dance in the Bay Area. 

Before COVID, we were just beginning to stabilize and get our footing as a business. We've faced some tough challenges before, especially in our first years of operation. But we couldn't have predicted this pandemic would hit us so quickly and wash away so much of our hard work and growth as a company. To be completely honest, we've been struggling. And we will still continue to struggle as long as COVID is still around. 

But we aren't going down without a fight. 

As a business we've been forced to pivot several times in an attempt to minimize the financial stresses of owning a studio. From April to June we pivoted to Virtual Classes, figuring out logistics, coordinating with teachers, and continuing to offer an escape to all of our regular patrons. As things started opening up in June, we began offering Outdoor dance classes which has helped significantly, but again we are still operating at less than half the capacity we were pre-pandemic. Starting in September, we got creative and put forth even more fundraising events to still keep our community engaged and slowly return to a little bit of normalcy. We dreamed up events like the Thrift Shop, Social Movie Nights, Family Days, all to help us keep the doors open. But despite all of this, we are still not where we need to be to keep our doors open. 

Our team is working hard every day to help us plan, coordinate, and execute these events for our community. But we still need your help! As the season changes and it starts to get cold, we fully anticipate a dip in participation in our dance classes and events. Historically we've been able to mitigate the costs by holding events in the space (but big events are not allowed to happen right now).

So we are reaching out to our community again to help us get through the next couple of months which typically are the hardest for us as a business. Our goal for this round is the same as the last- $38,000 to help us get through the winter. 



We understand that everyone is feeling the pressure/anxiety caused by this Pandemic and that now more than ever the financial stress is at its peak. So please, only give if you are able to. 
Any contribution big or small will help us reach our bottom line. And we're going to continue to do everything we can to keep our programs and events running safely for as long as COVID is around.

Other ways you can help!
For those of you who are active:
     - Keep taking dance classes and encourage others to join with you.
     - Check out our Patreon and sign up to be a monthly supporter. We have some wonderful perks for those of you who join!
     - Participate in our events! They're there for you to enjoy. And we make every effort to make sure you stay safe throughout.
     - Spread the word about our fundraisers and events! Even if you're unable to donate, maybe someone in your circle will be able to.

Thank you again for continuing to support us and our vision for the future of our dance community. Now more than ever we need to support the people and places we love. We absolutely love our Full Out Fam! Stay Safe & Stay Healthy! 

- Rocko, Anthony, Emerson, & the Full Out Family